There are trolls online. Not the fairytale kind that sits under bridges: we’re talking about the mean, nasty individuals who use online anonymity to be cruel, spread their own brand of hate, destroy reputations and products, and generally try to upset and crush as many people and companies as they possibly can.

Trolls agitate to start fights between friends or strangers; they torment those struggling with illnesses or with the loss of a loved one, people unsure of their identity or their looks, or any other weakness a troll can find. They disrupt forums with off-topic comments, brag nonstop about themselves, ridicule the thoughts of others or insert controversial comments to disrupt conversations.

Trolls spread lies, deceive and cause damage, and they enjoy every minute they can make someone else miserable. They may be obnoxious teens, but more often than not they’re seemingly “normal” adults who use internet anonymity to shed their veneer of decency and show their ugly selves. Trolls are basically cyberbullies on steroids – cowards afraid to show their face but nastier and more dedicated than garden-variety bullies. They are often fairly tech savvy, willing to dig up a comment or information from your past to distort, thereby “justifying” their actions.

If you’ve spent any time online, you’ve probably run across trolls even if you didn’t know the term. You may have tried to reason with them, be nice to them or virtually shout back at them. Don’t bother. You’re more likely to win an argument with a tree than you are with a troll.

I'd say it's pretty dead-on description. And no, that's not a death threat, even though I used the word "dead." The troll thinks I am bothered by anything it says, but once I've accepted someone is a troll, their belligerent narrative has no impact, resulting in a good laugh or an eye roll.

There are trolls online. Not the fairytale kind that sits under bridges: we’re talking about the mean, nasty individuals who use online anonymity to be cruel, spread their own brand of hate, destroy reputations and products, and generally try to upset and crush as many people and companies as they possibly can.

Trolls agitate to start fights between friends or strangers; they torment those struggling with illnesses or with the loss of a loved one, people unsure of their identity or their looks, or any other weakness a troll can find. They disrupt forums with off-topic comments, brag nonstop about themselves, ridicule the thoughts of others or insert controversial comments to disrupt conversations.

Trolls spread lies, deceive and cause damage, and they enjoy every minute they can make someone else miserable. They may be obnoxious teens, but more often than not they’re seemingly “normal” adults who use internet anonymity to shed their veneer of decency and show their ugly selves. Trolls are basically cyberbullies on steroids – cowards afraid to show their face but nastier and more dedicated than garden-variety bullies. They are often fairly tech savvy, willing to dig up a comment or information from your past to distort, thereby “justifying” their actions.

If you’ve spent any time online, you’ve probably run across trolls even if you didn’t know the term. You may have tried to reason with them, be nice to them or virtually shout back at them. Don’t bother. You’re more likely to win an argument with a tree than you are with a troll.

I'd say it's pretty dead-on description. And no, that's not a death threat, even though I used the word "dead." The troll thinks I am bothered by anything it says, but once I've accepted someone is a troll, their belligerent narrative has no impact, resulting in a good laugh or an eye roll.

"under the bridge" ?

No.

Think planer boards and long lines, with a half dozen J-plugs dancing behind the stern.

C’mon Mark - look at the last 24-48 hours of posts by this “it” - all the “it” does is post things to completely aggravate and harass others here. The posts and replies in the Detroit and Tri Cities Board that “it” posted are classic troll behavior, as any thread “it” posts on quickly goes off topic and “it” starts bashing others.

I think we are dealing with a young person, 15 to 19 maybe 20, who has created this online persona so he/she/it can play the big shot. Strikes me as the type of person who wouldn't say shit to any of us face to face...internet cojones only.

Someone who whines so much about being bullied while having the reputation of an internet bully doesn't have too much credibility. I think this thing is older than 15-20 due to simply acting foolish around here for 8 years.

Needless to say, nothing this thing has posted has ever changed my mind about anything, hasn't made me doubt myself or my beliefs (usually will reaffirm my beliefs), and hasn't really affected me at all with its unique brand of hatred.